Jafza, Dubai Chamber on trade mission to Brazil

Dubai, November 26, 2009

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the flagship company of Economic Zones World, and Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will go on a trade mission for the first time to Brazil.

The Brazilian visit will promote Dubai’s and the UAE’s status as the most attractive business hub in the region as well as highlight the multi-level value-added services Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Chamber offer to investors, said a statement.

A delegation of senior officers from Jafza and Dubai Chamber will take part in the road show entitled “Dubai - Unlimited Business Opportunities,” from November 30-December 4, which will take them to the thriving business hub of Sao Paulo and the capital city of Brasilia.

Organised by Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian trade and investment promotion agency, the road show aims to increase the awareness of Brazilian companies about Dubai and the UAE and promote investment in international markets. The UAE is one of the 23 priority markets Brazil has marked to broaden its overseas investments.

Mohammed Al Banna, VP commercial sales of Jafza, said: “Brazil is one of the most vibrant markets in Latin America and has strong positive outlook for future development. The free zone is a major player in the bilateral trade between Dubai and Brazil. There are about 20 Brazilian companies based in Jafza. Apex-Brasil’s presence in the free zone shows how keen both sides are to expand co-operation.”

Hassan Al Hashemi, director, external relations, Dubai Chamber, added: “One of the key strategic objective of the Dubai Chamber is promoting Dubai as an international business hub and our participation in this road show comes within this context. During this trip to Brazil, Dubai Chamber looks forward to highlight the investment opportunities in Dubai and strengthen the bilateral trade ties between Dubai and Brazil.”

“Both countries have much to offer and it would be Dubai Chamber’s role to identify and foster relationships with key strategic partners that contribute to the growth and development of the business environment in the Emirate,” Al Hashemi said.

Institutional and government meetings will include the Arab- Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce, National Confederation of Industry, Federation of Industries, Sao Paulo, National Confederation of Trade, Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, and Parliamentary Group Brazil – UAE.

“Dubai-Unlimited Business Opportunities” is in line with the steadily growing trade ties between the two economies over the years.

In 2008, total direct trade, including import, export and re-export, between the two economies valued at Dh3.1 billion ($844 million), according to the latest figures released by Dubai World’s Statistics Department.

The study also showed that import from Brazil through Dubai’s free zones and customs warehouses during first half of 2009 valued at Sh1.1 billion and export amounted to Dh64.6 million. – TradeArabia News Service